Business Licensing & Operations in Roanoke County, VA (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Roanoke County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Anyone operating or wanting to operate an adult business in Roanoke County, outside the independent cities of Roanoke and Salem, needs a $500 permit from the chief of police in addition to a regular business license, under County Code § 13-101. The permit runs twelve months, costs $100 to renew, and cannot be transferred to another person or location.
Adult Business Permit Rules in Roanoke County
Significant RestrictionsRoanoke County Code § 13-101
Every person either operating or desiring to operate an adult business, in addition to obtaining any required business license from the commissioner of the revenue, shall apply to the chief of police, or his designee, for a permit to conduct such activity. Each such application shall be accompanied by a fee in the amount of five hundred dollars ($500.00). ... The permit shall be valid for twelv...
Massage Establishments
Running a massage parlor in Roanoke County requires a permit from the director of public health under Chapter 11, not just a business license. Section 11-26 makes it unlawful to operate without a current permit, and § 11-27 requires a $250 application fee to cover the police and health department investigation before the director can decide whether to issue it.
Roanoke County Massage Parlor Permit
Significant RestrictionsRoanoke County Code § 11-26, § 11-27
Sec. 11-26. - Required; exceptions. (a)It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in, conduct or carry on, or to permit to be engaged in, conducted or carried on, in or upon any premises within the county, the business of a massage parlor, or to render or permit to be rendered massage services at a location removed from a massage establishment within the county, without a current and valid p...
Tobacco Retail License
Roanoke County's zoning ordinance bars the retail sale of vape and nicotine-vapor products, other alternative nicotine products, and smokable hemp products from convenience stores, fuel centers and retail-sales uses sited within 1,000 feet of a county public middle or high school building. The rule is a zoning location restriction, not a separate license, and grandfathers stores already selling those products.
Vape Retail Ban Near Schools in Roanoke County
Significant RestrictionsRoanoke County Code § 30-85-13(A)4
4.The retail sale of nicotine vapor products, alternative nicotine products as defined in Code of Virginia § 18.2-371.2, or hemp products intended for smoking as defined in Code of Virginia § 3.2-4112 shall be prohibited on properties located within one thousand (1,000) feet of a principal school building of any Roanoke County public high school or middle school. This shall not affect (i) a lic...
Secondhand Dealers
Roanoke County Code Chapter 16.1 requires anyone who buys secondhand precious metals or gems in the county, defined in § 16.1-21 as a 'dealer,' to get a $200 annual permit from the chief of police under § 16.1-31 before doing business. Dealers must also post a $10,000 bond or letter of credit, keep detailed purchase records, and hold each item for 15 days before reselling it.
Roanoke County Secondhand Precious Metals Permit
Significant RestrictionsRoanoke County Code §§ 16.1-21, 16.1-31
Dealer means any person, firm, partnership or corporation engaged in the business of (i) purchasing secondhand precious metals or gems; (ii) removing in any manner precious metals or gems from manufactured articles not then owned by such person, firm, partnership or corporation; (iii) buying, acquiring or selling precious metals or gems removed from such manufactured articles. ... No person sha...
Pawnbrokers
Pawnbrokers in Roanoke County need two approvals before opening: a business license taxed at 0.36 percent of gross receipts under County Code § 10-59, and a police-issued permit that the chief of police can deny to anyone convicted of a felony or crime of moral turpitude within the last ten years. A $200 application fee covers both, and the license must stay posted at the shop.
Roanoke County Pawnbroker License
Significant RestrictionsRoanoke County Code § 10-59
(a)The license tax rate for every person engaged in business as a pawnbroker shall be 0.36 percent of the gross receipts in such business during the preceding calendar year as provided in section 10-36. ... (c)No license to engage in business as a pawnbroker in the county required by section 54.1-4001 of the Code of Virginia, as amended shall be issued under this chapter by the commissioner of ...
Towing Companies
Roanoke County doesn't license towing and wrecker companies directly. Instead, County Code § 12-14 creates a towing advisory board, formed under Virginia Code § 46.2-1217, to advise the board of supervisors on the county's towing ordinances and contracts. The board seats representatives of local law enforcement, towing and recovery operators, and the general public.
Roanoke County Towing Advisory Board
Few RestrictionsRoanoke County Code § 12-14
Pursuant to Code of Virginia § 46.2-1217, there is hereby created a County of Roanoke towing advisory board to advise the board of supervisors with regard to the appropriate provisions of the County of Roanoke's ordinances or contracts related to towing services. ... The members of the towing advisory board shall be appointed by the board of supervisors, by resolution, and shall include represe...
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